Here we interview runners who have participated in the Uganda Marathon, so they can share their stories and experiences from the 7-Day Adventure. After all, it’s their involvement which makes the week so special, from the impact they have on the Charity Projects, to the community feel they give to Race Day.
Sam joined us all the way from Australia for his first trip to Africa and to participate in his first-ever marathon! Below he speaks to us about this, visiting Bugabira Primary School, gorilla trekking in the Rain Forest, and a special moment during the race that gave him the motivation to push through ‘the wall’ and reach the finish line!
1. What made you sign up for the Uganda Marathon?
I was speaking to a colleague about countries I had never visited, Africa for that matter, when I saw an online advertisement for the marathon. I was feeling bored with my current situation and the excitement of going to Africa for a cause looked really appealing.
2. What project did you visit on Legacy Day? Could you tell us about the experience?
I worked at Bugabira Primary School. It was a unique experience to see how children act in a school environment where they are genuinely happy to be, unlike the western world, where children don’t often appreciate the privileges we take for granted.
3. You participated in our 42K event, your first ever marathon! Could you tell us about the experience of Race Day and running your first marathon in Uganda?
I truly enjoyed the run. I was never into running prior to this event, so all of it was really new to me. Around the 26K mark, I was feeling really tired and low on morale. I had never run past 30K as I developed an injury during my training. So this area was all new ground for me, and it was at this point when 2 young boys, then eventually 7 or 8 local children, ran around 10k with me. I remember looking at my running watch and down at my running shoes and running shorts, then looking at the boys in ripped clothes and oversized flip-flops and clothes that don’t fit them, and thought to myself ‘WOW, absolutely nothing would be a issue for you guys, and I’m here in all the gear’.
That moment was when my subconscious said to me, ‘you do realise you can’t stop until you reach the finish line regardless!’
4. After the 7-Day Adventure, you took part in the Gorilla trekking extension. Could you tell us about the experience and your highlights?
Utter amazing. Sitting within 1 meter of a wild gorilla was just surreal, and as we were about to leave a crazy rainstorm hit us hard, which made the whole jungle trek experience so much more unique. I was loving the fact my boots were full of water and I was drenched to the bone!
On the journey back to the accommodation, the roads became blocked with vans and trucks trying to get up the hills, but due to the heavy rainfall, the roads had changed to mud. At one point myself and 15-20 locals, as well as the army, were all in a team effort pushing and pulling the truck out the way and up the road. We were at it for a good hour to an hour and a half, when we finally succeeded. There was a massive cheer throughout and everyone clapped each other, we were all covered in mud and wet, yet I still found great enjoyment throughout the whole drama.
5. Finally, what was your favourite memory from the 7-day Adventure?
I was emotionally touched when we meet Mumma Florence and by the children’s stories. I went around their house a separate time to see the kids and felt incredibly, genuinely, welcomed.
But I would have to say the final stretch of the race when your heart is pounding with excitement and you see the finish line with everyone cheering (Pictured left: Sam, on the home-straight!). I got a mad flashback of the previous 5 months – of the moment I signed up and all the training put in, flashing before my eyes, as I grunted my teeth to put that last bit of energy in and cross that line. That was a cool moment!
A big thank you to Sam and Global View Photography for sharing these awesome photos with us!
